Gapen’s Bait Walker Plus for cats

I was just wondering if anyone else out there has had any luck using the Baitwalker Plus ahead of their bait? I started using them last summer and was totally amazed ! There was 3 of us in the boat all using the same color and same TJ’s dip bait on a wing dam. The only difference was that I had the Baitwalkers and caught 8 fish in a row! Finally the other guys brokedown and asked to try some, that’s when they started catching fish too ! The way it stands now, I have lost more Baitwalkers to my “friends” than I have in the river !!!!

What bait are you talking about as I have never heard of it and would like to give it a try if I new more about it?

The Baitwalker Plus is really not a bait at all, it is a sinker that has the arm off of a spinnerbait made into it. You tie your main line to the first loop at the 90 degree bend, just like a spinner bait, then tie a leader of about 30″ just behind the spinner where there is a second loop and then to your dip bait or cut bait.

The magic of the thing is in current like a wing dam, you can feel the spinner turning. Now when the catfish takes your bait they swim up stream a foot or so. This causes the Baitwalker Plus to pivot foreward, the spinner slides ahead and quits turning, just count to three and set the hook. The hookup rate on them is outstanding when you use this method. Lots of times the fish take the bait so hard the hook themselves.

Here’s a pic of the original baitwalker:

I have not seen the one with the spinner, but the technique sounds interesting. I would’ve never thought of feeling the spinner blade before.

Its an interesting concept.I was always under the immpression that they were designed to be used at the first bite or the inital approach of the cat.I let a cat take the bait and hook him when he turns his head downstream.The Walker Plus is designed so that you hook the cat as soon as he puts the bait in his mouth.There are times when I have tried this with out one of these rigs, but never had much success at it.Are you hooking these cats before they turn?

I would say I’m hooking them before they turn, the treble hook is usually smak dab in the middle of the fish’s mouth.

After using the Baitwalker Plus last summer, I will not go back to egg or bell sinkers again.

There is a picture of the Baitwalker Plus at http://www.Gapen.com and look under the Baitwalker 2 in the terminal tackle section. It also has a diagram too.

Drift or troll a Lindy rig behind a baitwalker. Works the s ame way. You can sense the blade. When the tension stops, set the hook. You lip walleyes and cats the same way. Pete.

what weight was you using for catching cat?????

who uses spinners for catfishing? are there sparkles on your boat?

Ewww, joshbjork!! Let me introduce you to some of the guys in the Red River Forum!

You’ll have a lot of fun in there!

B

They have sparkles on their boats up there?

Just Bowfinhunter.

(I feel repercusions)

Sorry no sparkles on my boat.
But Brink (A.K.A. “Mealy worm”) usually has sparkles in his hair.
Bowfin

That’s true…just trying to fit in with them government workers (in the North and East Metro).

Mealy Worm (aka Brink)
You forgot Lazy.
Get it right or don’t bother
Bowfin

Guess that’s why I’ll never be a government worker…

Hey, never did ask ya…what part of government do you work for?

Hey, Brian – I think he works for the IRS. Something like an auditor or something like that.

GONG!!!! That is incorrect

Cattin_Addict

That was good Comm!

But if he were, the joke would be on him…I haven’t filed in years…

Ps you still want those no-rolls right?

huh? I dont need any no rolls unless you want to get rid of some, i pour my own no roll sinkers cheaper that way, im not a wallnutter after all

Cattin_Addict

Fireman,
Just caught your post regarding the Bait Walker Plus and am curious as to the weight(s) you use. While unfamiliar with the rig, I am aware of TJ’s stink bait. It comes into DeWitt by the pickup load and is rationed.

I read about this system a few years back but never tried it. I don’t understand how the baitwalker can stay upright without tipping unless your fishing it at about a 45 degree angle or straight below the boat. I can’t see how it would work in shallow water where you have to get the bait out from the boat. It would tip. Unless maybe you’re in very heave current. Sounds like an idea worth trying though, in certain situations. Any ideas on the tipping thing?

Relative to the top the sinker is heavy enough to keep the baitwalker in an upright position. I personally love using them, not only for Cats and Walleye, but also for Smallies on top or close to the top of Wingdams and Rockpiles.